THE WORD READ AND PROCLAIMED

1st SCRIPTURE                     Philippians 2:1-11

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2nd SCRIPTURE                                 Romans 12:3-8

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

ONE: The Word of the Lord

MANY: Thanks be to God

SERMON     “What is the Most Difficult Instrument to Play?”                                    Elder Robert Lowry

 RESPONSE     

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH         Apostles’ Creed 

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day, he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY                 

DOXOLOGY [GTG#606]

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host;

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 

THE LORD’S PRAYER 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

HYMN [*Blue #439][GTG#317]     In Christ There Is No East or West

1 In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north,
but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.

2 In Christ shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find;
his service is the golden cord close-binding humankind.

3 Join hands, disciples of the faith, whate’er your race may be.
All children of the living God are surely kin to me.

4 In Christ now meet both east and west; in him meet south and north.
All Christly souls are one in him throughout the whole wide earth.

PARTING PRAYER 

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

RESPONSE GTG#850 In a Deep, Unbounded Darkness

God of Hagar, God of Sarah, God of nomad Abraham;
God of Miryam, God of Moses, Fiery Pillar, great I AM:
lead us homeward, lead us homeward, to the love-feast of the Lamb,
evermore and evermore.

POSTLUDE                                        

*Note: the hymn lyrics in the bulletin and on the projection screen are from the Glory To God Hymnal (© 2013 Westminster John Knox Press), which we are transitioning to. Words in the “Blue” Presbyterian Hymnal (© 1990) in your pew may differ slightly.

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved. 

*Robert Lowry bio

Robert has been Pulpit Supply in Southeast Louisiana Presbyterian Churches for 30 years. Robert is continually influenced by Rev Douglas Wilson of Moscow, Idaho. In addition, Robert is a “preacher’s kid”. His father, Rev. Louis Lowry, was a Southern Baptist Minister for 47 years. 

Before becoming PSL Pulpit Supply, Robert held many lay leadership positions. He has served as a deacon, an elder, and as the clerk of session. He was not only a Stephen Minister, but he also trained the  Stephen Minister group at the Hammond church. 

Robert is currently a member of Highland Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge. 

Robert was born & reared in Beaumont, Texas. He has four children, two girls and two boys, all in their  30’s & early 40’s; he has three grandchildren. He resides in Gonzales. He is a Professional Engineer and a recently retired Quality Control Consultant. 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-l-lowry-18a99861

Church Office: 504.888.1375 Playschool Office: 504.888.1378

Briana Mayfield – Church Office Assistant 

Kelly Cuppett – Music Director

Lauren Crisler  – Playschool Director

Stephanie Galliano – Playschool Admin. Asst.

Deacons

Bill Bottomley 504-885-3850 pslclerk@earthlink.net

Mary Antill 504-247-5720 buzz2moosetaco@gmail.com

Tony Hill 504-214-8095 rolandohill2003@yahoo.com

Laurie Hill 504-344-9079 la.tres@yahoo.com